Chapter 11
Three years ago, Mandy married Tobias, who had long gone. Since then, the word “widow” had become a trigger for her, every mention like a sharp jab.
“A widow?” she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty,
Barry nodded. “Yeah, that woman is a widow. But she’s Nelson’s true love. She’s the one he’d choose above all others. So your plans won’t work. Got it?”
Mandy’s mind raced. ‘Nelson has been drawn to a widow? A man with his looks and status could have any woman he wants, yet he’s fallen for someone who’s already lost a partner?‘
She couldn’t help but wonder what made this woman so extraordinary that she’d captivated Tobias’s heart completely.
Mandy felt a pang of envy. That widow had found happiness again, with someone as remarkable as “Nelson. Meanwhile, Mandy might be stuck living a life of quiet solitude, forever bound by memories of Tobias.
“Do you seriously regret not taking that money?” Barry asked, his tone teasing.
“Yeah, I kind of do,” Mandy replied, though she was still processing everything.
“I’m the one who regrets it,” Barry sighed dramatically. “I feel bad you missed out.”
Mandy rolled her eyes inwardly. She didn’t believe him for a second. He’d made a point of driving her and saying all this, clearly warning her not to entertain any fantasies or do anything embarrassing. But she thought he was wasting his breath.
Seeing her silence, Barry assumed she was genuinely regretting it. He leaned closer, a playful smirk on his face. “But don’t worry too much. He might have his beloved, but I don’t.”
He pulled up to the hospital curb, handed her a room key, and leaned in close, his voice low and suggestive. “I’ll make up for your loss.”
Mandy knew exactly what he was implying. But who did he think she was? She despised guys like Barry, who thought they could get whatever they wanted just because they had money.
She gave a cold laugh. “Are you sure you can afford to make up for it?”
Barry’s eyes twinkled, thinking she was flirting. He raised an eyebrow. “How do you know I can’t unless you give it a try?”
“Alright, let’s give it a try,” Mandy said, snatching the room key from his hand and getting out of the car.
Barry watched her walk toward the hospital, her figure graceful and alluring. He’d been with many women, but never a doctor. The idea intrigued him. The thought of a night ahead filled him with anticipation.
Barry strolled back to the villa, whistling a tune. He found Tobias in the living room, nose buried in a book.
With a smirk, Barry said, “You won’t believe it. That doctor–she’s young, but she’s already playing the long game with you. Trying to reel you in.”
Tobias looked up, his
eyes narrowing. “What did you say to her?”
Barry shrugged. “Just told her to be realistic. No harm done.”
“Stay out of it,” Tobias grumbled, returning to his book.
But Barry wasn’t bothered at all–he was used to Tobias’s short fuse.
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Chapter 11
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He grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl, took a bite, and said, “I thought she’d be tougher. She seemed so cool and distant.. But all it took was a little flattery, and she was in. Kind of anticlimactic, if you ask me
Tobias’s eyes flicked back up. “What are you talking about?”
Barry casually mentioned, “We’re meeting at the Moonspire Hotel tonight. Eight o’clock. He tossed the words out like it was no big deal, but there was a gleam in his eyes that gave away his pride.
He was too busy feeling smug to notice that Tobias’s face darkened after a daze.
“And she agreed?” Tobias asked.
“Yeah,” Barry said, still chewing on his apple. “She even took the room key
Tobias slammed the book shut, the sound loud enough to make Barry wince. He pushed the book aside, got up, and walked out of the room, his expression unreadable.
When Mandy had first mentioned her cheap fees, Tobias had thought she might be playing hard to get. But remembering how she’d stood up to authority to save someone, he’d given her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she was a good doctor after
all.
But now… it seemed he’d been wrong. In his eyes, she was just another woman playing the same old game, looking for a way to climb the social ladder.
**
Mandy was back at the hospital, diving straight into the chaos of her shift. Time flew by in a blur of emergencies and paperwork, and it wasn’t until her break that she finally had a moment to herself.
As she changed out of her scrubs, her phone buzzed. It was Fiona. “Hey Mandy, you done for the day?” Fiona asked, her voice practically bouncing with excitement.
“Just got off,” Mandy replied, curiosity piqued. “What’s up? You sound like you’ve got big news.”
“Big news? You could say that!” Fiona laughed. “I’m taking you out for dinner–at Moonspire Hotel. The buffet is $300 a head. Can you believe it?”
Mandy’s fingers froze as she pulled her hair into a ponytail. Moonspire Hotel was the talk of Westbay, famous for its extravagant buffet that offered unlimited lobster, sashimi, premium steaks, and a selection of fine wines.
It was a place they’d always dreamed of trying, but the price tag made it feel like a distant fantasy.
“Did you hit the jackpot or something?” Mandy asked, still in disbelief.
“Not quite, but close,” Fiona replied with a giggle.
“What’s happening then?” Mandy asked.
“Remember Betty? That regular customer at our store?” Fiona smiled.
“Of course,” Mandy replied, recalling how she saw Betty just yesterday at the store.
Fiona continued, “Well, she ordered that custom gown, right? She wanted a discount, but I couldn’t budge. So, she gave me four free passes to the Royal Cafeteria instead. I figured it was a fair trade.”
Mandy’s mind was racing. She asked, “Okay, got it. But how did she get those passes?”
Fiona explained, “Her husband works at Moonspire Hotel–some kind of manager. I’m not sure of the exact title.”
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The details didn’t matter. What mattered was that they now had a golden ticket to the most luxurious buffet in town.
Mandy ended the call and hopped on her bike, heading straight for Moonspire Hotel.
As she rode past the small motel next to the hospital, something caught her eye–flyers plastered on the walls and ground. Suddenly, it hit her. She’d completely forgotten about the hotel room key Barry had given her.
She’d tossed it into her bag without a second glance, not even bothering to check which hotel it was for. It wasn’t until she rummaged through her bag and found the key that she realized it was for Moonspire Hotel. What a coincidence.
+13
But Mandy wasn’t one to let coincidences dictate her plans. She pulled out her phone and dialed the number on one of the flyers.
When she hung up, a mischievous smile played on her lips. “Mr. Lopez, tonight is going to be unforgettable. Enjoy.”
Mandy was feeling great. But as she neared the Moonlight Hotel, he bike suddenly got a flat tire.
She pushed it to the side of the road and called Fiona. “Don’t wait for me. My tire’s blown. You guys take Emma inside first. I’ll catch up soon.”
“You’re such a jinx,” Fiona laughed. “Alright, we’re heading in to save a spot. Hurry up!”
“Sure thing,” Mandy replied, hanging up and sprinting toward the hotel.
As she reached the entrance, a sleek luxury car pulled up beside her. The door opened, and a wave of cool authority seemed to spill out.
Inside sat a man in a wheelchair, dressed in black slacks and a crisp white shirt, exuding an air of quiet power. Mandy paused, surprised. “Mr. Lancaster?”
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